Improvement in self-closing hatchways



1. M. sTnouT. Self-Closing Hatchwys.

Patented Feb. 24.1874.

NTTED STATES PATENT FFICE,

JESSE M. STROUT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND CHARLES O. STROUT, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-CLOSING HATCHWAYS.

Specification forming part of Lettere Patent No. 147,999, dated February 24, 1874; application filed January 29, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. M. STROUT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of ldass'achusctts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means of Opening and Closing Hatchways of Elevators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of an automatic device for opening and closing hatchways for. elevators by the movement of the carriage, as will. be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the aunexed drawing', in which- Figure l is a vertical section; Figa-2, crosssection through line y y. Fig. 3 shows the lever adjustment.

A represents the floor, in which are h-in ged the hatches B B. Each hatch is hinged by means ot' two hinges, a a, the joints of which are a short distance inward from the edge, so that the inner edge otl the hatch turns downward when the hatch opens upward. Under the hinged edge of the hatch is a concave bearing-bar, b, which prevents any dirt or dust from passing through the hatch. C C represent the two upright timbers, one on cach side of the hatchway, which timbers are, on theirinner sides, provided with a vertical guide, d, to enter corresponding grooves on the sides of the elevator -carriage D. The guide d on each side is cut away, as well as a portion of the timber C, to allow the hatch to open vertically, and on the under side of the hatch is attached a guide, d', to take the place of the cut-away part of the guide d. On top of each hatch B is secured a short lever, E, which eX- tends a tritle beyond the inner edge, and to this lever is pivoted another lever, G,theupper end of which is bent inward and pivoted to the lower end of athird lever, H. The upper end of this lever is pivoted to a block, I, which is made adjustable upon the timber C by 'any suitable means. The two levers G and H are connected by means of a spring, h, the tendency of which is to throw their jointed ends inward, so as to draw the outer end of the lever E upward and close the hatch. The carriage D is raised and lowered by a windlass, J, and cord f, or other suitable means. As the carriage D ascends, it strikes the under sides of the hatches B B and opens the same to allow the carriage to pass, the levers G H being` thereby thrown back and extended nearly to a straight line. As the carriage passes the hatch the springs h h throw the jointed ends of said levers inward, the levers H H following against the lower edges of the carriage until the carriage has risen sufficiently to al` low the levers to close the hatches. In desCending, the carriage D presses upon the lethe carriage to pass, the hatches closing in like manner after the carriage has passed through. On the carriage D are suitable friction-rollers, t' i, where the levers H H otherwise would come in contact with it and wear. This automatic device is applicable to any elevators for warehouses, hotels, or other private and public buildings.

Having' thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isj The combination, with the hatches B B, hinged substantially as described, of the levers E, G, and H, and springsh, constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

JESSE MARTIN STROUT.

Vitnesses CHAs. F. STRoUT, WATSON TAYLOR. 

